yes i agree - mini z (in general RC model)is now becoming very expensive - I use to go to MMS on a regular base around 3 years ago. While I agree that the yen has gone up in value - but definately not as much as you think. The prices now are so much inflated. If you ask the shops - they will say - yen gone up yen gone up. But let me tell you, it is just their excuse to make more money. But then again, we must remember - their rent in KWS also gone up sky high over the years, so they must put up their margin in order to survivor.
I just feel that it is not a reasonable hobby anymore - the prices just not acceptable. I remember when i just started with RC cars when i was about 11 years old (25 years ago), 1 to 2 thousand HK$ used to be enough to have good fun and playing cars like turbo optima etc. Now, 1-2 thousand will not get you far at all. I just hope my son (2 years old) will not start this hobby when he grows up.